Maison & Objet 2018: Wall Clocks

As a concept, time can be complex, but these timepieces are simply stunning and direct

Time is a complex concept, yet we're all familiar with ideas about how time flies, time is money and time is a luxury. During 2018's Maison & Objet, it was evident that time can be decoration, as well. Among the countless gadgets and design objects on display at the Parisian fair, wall clocks were not only numerous, but impressive—and sometimes transformed the way we perceive time itself.

At Diamantini & Domeniconi, we found some of the most striking examples—thanks to the work of Marco Marzini, the creative director for just over a year. Marzini focused on the historical models of the Italian house but he also introduced new models, all sharing a desire to show what is usually hidden. The industrial meets the playful with the Attimo cuckoo clock, defined by a lacquered steel case and visible movement. The ultra-pure Angolo is not just for the wall, because thanks to a portable magnetic base it can be placed on a table or inserted between shelves on a bookcase.

The mirrored stainless steel of Miraggio doesn't display the clock's hands; rather the reflection of them. In fact, the clock is actually concave and the hands are folded to create an unusual optical illusion that transforms the surface reflecting the surrounding environment. Puntinipuntini by Adriana Subri is simple but goes beyond minimalism, thanks to the tiny holes that define the edges of the case.

Studio Poetic Lab designed Silo for Beyond Object, and the clock is a rotating sculpture whose forms are based on complex mathematical calculations. Hours and minutes are marked by the hands, but also traced by the shadows which further the sense of time passing. During Maison & Objet, the designers unveiled a series of prototypes, in which shadows play a fundamental role.

Renee Vendrig designs and produces sophisticated, elegant clocks through her brand Cloudnola. In some models the shape and color are the focus, while in others function wins and the mechanics are completely visible, like in Flipping Out. Despite the sometimes daring shapes (especially in Timeline) the hour is always readable, stylish and sleek.

Storytelling is at the heart of Haoshi, a Taiwanese company whose name means "good things." The main material is resin and their key color is white, and while that sounds minimal and simple, their pieces are anything but. Birds and other animals populate a collection that evokes fairytales and ancient legends.